Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric Inc. for the Southerly Waste Water Treatment Plant (SWWTP) Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project, CIP #650357-100101, in an amount up to $16,418,654.00; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of up to $16,420,654.
The latest Power Study at Southerly Water Reclamation Plant noted several instances where the withstand rating, or total instantaneous current carrying capacity of the electrical equipment, was exceeded by the calculated available short circuit current. In addition, there were several locations where the system’s protective devices could not be selectively coordinated, and the calculated arc flash levels exceeded the personal protective equipment category of 2 that the City would prefer not exceed.
This project will provide improvements that include two new Low Voltage (14.4kV-480V) Unit Substations, two new 480V Motor Control Centers, Distribution Panels, and Circuit Breakers scattered throughout the entirety of the Southerly Water Reclamation Plants distribution system. Improvements will reorganize the plant distribution system in key areas to ensure selective coordination throughout the facility and replace critical aging gear such as the CPA Unit Substation which is responsible for all Primary Clarifiers. Primary Clarifiers play a crucial role in the wastewater treatment by separating solids from liquids, which is essential for preparing wastewater for biological treatment. The project will enhance the overall efficiency of the treatment process. Improvements will also include arc flash maintenance switches where appropriate to provide the safest possible working environment for plant staff. Areas with electrical improvements in this project are as follows:
1. East and Far East Final Clarifiers (ERC, FRC)
2. Center Pre-aeration and associated distribution for all Primary Clarifiers (CPA, WPC, CPC, EPC)
3. West, Center, and East Aeration (WAC, CAC, EAC)
4. Screen and Grit Building (SGB)
5. Odor Control Facility (OCF)
6. 480V Pump House (PMP)
7. Raw Sewage Pump Building (RSP)
8. West and Center Final Clarifiers (WRC, CRC)
9. Service Building and Northeast Switching Station (SEV, NESS)
10. Support Facilities Building (SFB)
The Community Area for this ordinance will be 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE: Contract work is required to be completed in a manner acceptable to the City within 730 days from the date that a Notice to Proceed (NTP) is given by the City. Work will continue until the project scope is completed and accepted by the City.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $16,418,654.00, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $16,418,654.00
Future Anticipated Needs $0.00
Prevailing Wage Services $ 2,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $16,420,654.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project provides electrical improvements that will improve system reliability, reduce maintenance and increase safety for city maintenance personnel. This project will increase the level of service for the Southerly Water Reclamation Plant.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the SWWTP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 10/31/2025 through 12/10/2025. Two bids were received for the project and were opened on 12/10/2025. The following companies submitted a bid:
Company Bid Amount Compliance Number
Claypool Electric Inc. $16,418,654.00 004366
Roberts Service Group $17,585,754.00 004397
The Claypool Electric Inc. bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $16,418,654.00.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Claypool Electric, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004366 and expires 2/28/26.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Claypool Electric., Inc.
Claypool Electric., Inc. listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project:
Company Name City/State
Atlas Industrial Contractor Columbus, Ohio
Universal Enterprises Columbus, Ohio
Kokosing Industrial Westerville, Ohio
J & B Acoustical Mansfield, Ohio
US Utility Contractors Hilliard, Ohio
The certification of Claypool Electric Inc. and the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Claypool Electric, Inc. and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
The construction portion of this project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 3119-2025, passed by Council on 12/15/2025. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA March 2026 Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. This is a reimbursement loan. The Department of Public Utilities must pay Claypool Electric Inc., and then submit the invoices paid to OWDA for reimbursement.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to increase budget authority for this project to the amount needed for the loan to fund the project. Funds must be appropriated within the WPCLF Loan Fund, Fund 6111.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is appropriated and available within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric, Inc., for the Southerly Waste Water Treatment Plant (SWWTP) Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund; to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $16,420,654.00 from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund and the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the project. ($16,420,654.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the SWWTP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the SWWTP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project were received and opened on 12/10/25; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Claypool Electric, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3119-2025, approved by City Council on 12/15/25, authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Loan Account; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, Fund 6111; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, Fund 6111, to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric, Inc. for the SWWTP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6111 / 650357-100101/ SWWTP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements (WPCLF Loan) / $8,266,426.00 / $21,658,776.00 / $13,392,350.00 (To match the loan amount)
6109 / 650375-100002 Compost Facility Odor Control Improvements (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $2046.00 / $46.00 / ($2,000.00)
6109 / 650357-100101/ SWWTP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $16,418,654.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, Fund 6111, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of cash between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, is needed per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 5. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Southerly Waste Water Treatment Plant (SWWTP) Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project with Claypool Electric, Inc., 1275 Lancaster Kirkersville Road SW, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, in an amount up to $16,418,654.00; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Service in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $16,420,654.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 10. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.